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Summer festival finder

Find your favorite summer festival

From strawberries to beer to wine to cheese, there is a festival in the region to match every palate with some kind of locally made food. And, for the ear there are festivals for jazz, blues and folk and ethnic music.

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July 17-20

GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance

The annual festival in Trumansburg returns for four days of national and international acts wowing crowds on the outdoor stages. Started in 1991, the summer festival attracts tens of thousands to the sprawling Trumansburg Fairgrounds.

Sample the cheeses of the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail at this family event at Sunset View Creamery in Odessa. Highlighting the local cheese industry, the day provides offerings from cheese makers across the Finger Lakes, as well as offerings from local farms and vendors. Live music will be performed all day along with activities for the whole family, including the Barnyard Olympics, goat milking, petting zoo, farm tours, hayrides, mechanical bull riding, cheesemaking classes, and more.

The fair originated in 1819, and it claims the title of the oldest continually running fair in the country. Attractions include a carnival, harness racing, horseshoe pitching tournament, rodeo, truck pull, pie eating contest, turkey calling, 4-H shows and a demolition derby.

A three-day community expo celebrating lake, land, and human wellness. The event features standup paddleboard (SUP) races at Myers Parks in Lansing, along with technique and training clinics, workshops, tours, and a film festival in Ithaca. Ticket prices vary based on activity or race entered.

Horseshoes, fireworks, rides, food, demolition derby, monster truck show, live music and more at this annual end of summer staple on the south end of Main Street.

Sept. 5

Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival

Day-long event on downtown's Franklin Street as historic sports cars do parade laps on the original 1948 race circuit through the streets. Restored vehicles, vintage motorcycles, speakers, food and music fill a day punctuated by evening fireworks at Watkins Glen State Park.

Called a celebration of heritage, this long-running outdoor event touts itself as having the largest professionally adjudicated high school marching band parade in the state. The festival offers midway rides, food, and games, plus other attractions like Colonial Days pageant, music by local high school bands and a softball tournament.

Location:Hodgman Park, Painted Post

June 13-15

St. Anthony's Feast Days

Italian food, live entertainment, kids' games, and a casino mark this weekend festival.

The agricultural celebration offers rides, games, animals, stock car racing, rodeo, harness horse races and more. Saturday will be a crowd-pleaser as diesel and gas fueled pick-up trucks take part in Afton Fair Off the Street Truck Pulls, which start at 6 p.m. that day at 6 p.m.

A showcase of New York State Wines and named one of the top 100 events of North America for 2013 by the American Bus Association. The festival celebrates the more than 80 wineries and 600 wines that make up the Finger Lakes one of the premier wine producing regions in the country. Along with the wine, enjoy artisans, music, culinary classes, and breweries.

Kicks off with a parade in the morning before a day full of games, food and live music from local performers. All proceeds support the Danby Volunteer Fire Company.

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: Danby Fire Station, 1780 Danby Rd., Ithaca.

July 12

Finger Lake International Dragon Boat Festival

Elaborately designed skiffs take to the water during this team racing event promoting Asian and Asian American cultures and heritage. Create your own team or watch the racers muscle through the water in this fun, colorful tradition dating back more than 2000 years. Held at Cass Park, the event has opportunities for all ages and levels of experience.